Recent research indicates that physician burnout improved since 2014 and is now even lower than levels not seen since 2011, suggesting progress to combat this widespread problem is not only possible, but well underway.
The findings, which were published last month in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, come as a result of researchers surveying more than 5,000 physicians in the U.S. on burnout and work-life integration. According to the findings, 43.9% of respondents indicated that they experienced at least one symptom of burnout, down significantly from 54.4% in 2014, and less than the 45.5% who self-reported burnout in 2011. Satisfaction with work-life balance has also improved, up from 40.9% in 2014 to 42.7%.
The news isn’t entirely rosy, however. According to the findings, 41.7% of physicians who responded screened positive for depression, a steady increase from 2014 (39.8%) and 2011 (38.2%). The findings also indicated that more than 20% of physicians would not choose the same profession, if they could go back and do it again.
While the research indicates that progress has been made, it is very clear there is still much work to be done in terms of improving the lives of the nation’s physicians.
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